HOSPITALS BEDS AVAILABLE IN 1954 AND 1957

Mr Wong Foo Nam asked the Minister for Health to state the total number of beds available in all hospitals (i) in 1954; and (ii) in 1957.

Mr A. J. Braga: The total number of beds available in all Government hospitals in 1954 and in 1957 was 4,620 and 6,084 respectively (i.e., an increase of 1,464 beds) made up as follows:- Hospital Beds in Beds in Increase 1954 1957 General Hospital 800 1,182 382 Kandang Kerbau Hospital (Maternity) 240 316 76 Tan Tock Seng Hospital (T.B.) 578 938 360 Middleton Hospital (Infectious Dieseases) 200 250 50 Trafalgar Home (Leprosy) 642 973 331 Woodbridge Hospital (Mental) 1,800 2,040 240 St. Andrew's Orthopædic Hospital 120 120 - Middle Road Hospital (V.D.) 60 65 5 Prisons Hospital 160 160 - St. John's Island (Opium Treatment Centre) - 20 20 Police Training School 20 20 - ----- ----- ----- Total 4,620 6,084 1,464* ----- ----- -----

*It is interesting to note that the bed strength of all hospitals as at today is 6,529, i.e., an increase of 1,909 beds since the present Government assumed office in 1955. The increase in beds for the 5 years prior to 1955 was only 240.